Inside The Celtics

Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett Discuss What's Different about this Season's Celtics

The Boston Celtics, 32-9, currently boast the best record in the NBA. It's a product of their talent, chemistry, and maturation.

Bobby Krivitsky

Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
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The Boston Celtics enter Friday night's matchup against the defending champion Denver Nuggets at TD Garden atop the NBA standings, boasting a 32-9 record.

They're also 20-0 on their parquet, continuing to establish a new franchise record for their best home start to a season. It's also tied for the 11th-best home start to a campaign in league history.

Not only do they have what's widely considered the most talented top six in the Association, but this group's cultivating outstanding chemistry that makes it easier to get on the court and carry out the theme of their season, which is sacrificing.

And while there were questions during the offseason about whether the Celtics had lost too much of their grit with Marcus Smart and Grant Williams departing after a playoff run where the team at times fell short in that department, not only has acquiring Jrue Holiday helped, but their star wings exemplify the internal growth in that area.

That's much to the delight of Kevin Garnett, a former franchise cornerstone who helped lead Boston to Banner 17 in 2008. The former league MVP expressed on KG Certified that Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown look tougher this season, carrying themselves with a "dominating presence" and going through defenders en route to the basket.

Noting how this team handles themselves and often remains successful even when one of their starters is unavailable, 2008 Finals MVP Paul Pierce voiced, "They believe they can beat anybody, no matter who they put out there, and that's what I'm seeing as the difference."

The traits that these two, who have their number hanging in the TD Garden rafters, praised this iteration of the Celtics for will play a crucial role in whether they follow in Pierce and Garnett's footsteps and raise a championship banner high above the Boston parquet.

Warning: The following link is to the full episode of the show, which contains the use of explicit language.

Further Reading

Despite the Loss, Victor Wembanyama Relishes 'Special' Boston Debut

Celtics Finding Joy in Basketball and Each Other's Company: 'We've Been Blessed'

Fixated on Winning, Jayson Tatum Again Proves He's Not 'Bored Making the Right Play Over and Over'

Ime Udoka Assesses Tatum and Brown's Growth Since Coaching Them: 'A Lot of Potential That I Haven't Tapped Into'

Marcus Smart in Danger of Missing Return to Boston

Jrue Holiday Responds to Celtics Saying He's Sacrificing Most: 'Not Mad at My Situation'

Brad Stevens Shares What Celtics Are Looking to Add and How He Hopes to Do So

Derrick White Opens Up About Journey from Uncertainty He Belonged in the NBA to an All-Star Caliber Guard

Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'

Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'

Jaylen Brown Shares His View of What Defines 'Celtics Basketball'

Published
Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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